I Am Blessed (No Thanks to Madoff, Merkin and friends)

While we are still processing the bitter reality of having the bulk of our net worth wiped out by Madoff and his helper Merkin, I can say that I am blessed.

While we barely can digest the horror taking place (on all "sides") in the Gaza area (which is getting wider all the time, with rockets falling in Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Be'ersheva), I can say I am blessed.

While we begin 2009 no closer to a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian struggle for independence, I can say that I am blessed.

While our world is racing toward becoming more and more "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" (see Thomas Friedman's book for more on that), I can say that I am blessed.

Where are all these blessings you ask? Well, to my side stands my soulmate Haviva, who I love more than ever (and without her could not fathom facing any of the above). And then I look at our children (Michal, Adin, Meira, Hallel, Nachum, and Mishael. I think of my parents, Don and Esther, and my sister Phyllis and her family, my in-laws Dan and Ruth, Haviva's siblings, and our crazy network of friends all over the world.

We are living in Jerusalem, after 3,000 years of history, playing our part. We are truly blessed. Now lets pray that in 2009 we can put aside the curses of war, greed, jealousy, famine, and poverty and spread blessings of love, peace and prosperity.

Happy New Year -- and remember to count your blessings.

Comments

[Barak]

Jacob,
You said "While we are still processing the bitter reality of having the bulk of our net worth wiped out by Madoff and his helper Merkin". Is that you personally or JerusalemCapital?

What happened?

Barak